Photographic technician
Photographic technicians process digital images, use software to improve picture quality and create prints for customers.
Typical Salary
£23,000 – £31,000
per year
Working Hours
40–42
hours per week
Day-to-day tasks
As a photographic technician, you could:
- scan, restore and catalogue pictures in archive collections
- make adjustments to pictures, using image editing software
- print images on photographic paper, canvas or other materials
- carry out quality checks on prints
- advise customers on how best to achieve the results they want
- help photographers during photo shoots
- set up equipment and assist art teachers in schools, colleges and universities
- check and maintain equipment like cameras and printers
Skills needed
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work on your own
- to be flexible and open to change
- the ability to work well with others
- customer service skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- concentration skills
- the ability to work well with your hands
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to get into this role
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
Career progression
You could specialise in photographic work for organisations like the police, NHS, museums or picture libraries.
With experience, you could move into supervisory or management positions.
You might also choose to start your own photographic business or open a franchise to run a processing lab.